Looking for ways on how to remove rust from fishing hooks? After fishing for quite a long time in the sea, you will realize the fishing hooks are starting to get rusted. The salt in the seawater makes it easy for them to rust, and therefore it is crucial to maintain a proper cleaning routine. Rust can be removed if you work on it as soon as you notice its presence. To get rid of the rust, you will need to wash it with the following methods:
Detach The Lures From The Hook
Detach the hook from any lures to make cleaning easy. You do not want to end up damaging the trap or even its finish.
Step:1 Sandpaper
If the rust is extreme, try to sandpaper it before cleaning. In case there is no sandpaper, use a rotary grinding tool to grind off the rust. It will only remove the rust but not complete unless the rust is minimal. Do not scrape the rust off from a hook that’s too old and about to break. Instead, replace it with new ones.
Step:2Soak In Vinegar
If sandpapering doesn’t remove the rust, try soaking it a little bit in apple cider vinegar. Fill a container with vinegar and place the hooks inside. The acidity will help remove the rust. Soak it overnight and remove it from the container in the morning. If the rust is still visible, you can leave it soaked for a few more hours until you are satisfied with how clean it is. Use steel wool to scrub rust that’s remaining on the hook. If you do not have steel wool, you can use a metal wire brush to clean.
You can also soak a piece of clothing in a vinegar solution and wipe the hook to remove the rust. The other option is to dip aluminum foil in the vinegar solution and use it to wipe it. These different methods are time-consuming, and the best way is to immerse it in the solution other than wiping.
Step:3 Vinegar And Borax
Combine the two ingredients to form a thick paste and apply it evenly on the fishing hook. Leave for a few hours and then spray enough vinegar on it. Use a scrubber to clean it and finish off with rinsing with clean water. You can use any scrubber to clean it.
Step:4 Salt And Lemon
Combine a mixture of lemon and salt to form a thick paste. Soak the hooks in the mix for some minutes before washing. A second option will be sprinkling the slat directly to it. When there is enough coverage, squeeze some lime juice out of the fresh lemon on top of the salt. Leave for a few hours. It helps remove the rust faster.
Step:5Soap And Potato
Cut a potato in half and apply liquid dish soap to it. Place the potato on the fishing hook to enable a chemical reaction. It is what will remove the rust. Do this multiple times until there is no more rust in it.
Step:6Baking Soda
Create a paste by mixing baking soda and water and ensure it is thick. Apply it to the fishing hooks and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it off. You can use a toothbrush to clean it after that.
Step:7 Oxalic Acid
Dilute 25ml of oxalic acid in a 250ml of water and soak the hooks for a few minutes. You can also dip a piece of clothing in the solution and use it in wiping it. Once the rust is removed, dry it.
Step:8 Scrape Off The Rust
Apart from natural methods, you can also scrape the rust off. Its time consuming and takes a lot of work. Some of the abrasive materials you can use include steel wool or any other metallic tool. Use sandpaper for a smooth finish after using abrasive materials on the hook to scrape the rust.
Step:9Using Commercial Cleaners
There are chemical removers in the market that can be used to clean the hooks even though they are harsh to the skin. The other commercial remover to use is citric acid. Mix the citric acid and hot water in plastic material. Soak it overnight, and then rinse it off in the morning. After it is clean, dry it with a clean towel.
Step:10 WD-40 Multi-Use Product
This liquid has many uses, and one of them being able to remove rust. Other than that, it helps protect the hook from rust after that. Spray it on the rusted hook and let it sit for about ten minutes. Scrub it off with an abrasive scrubber to get the loosened rust from it. Use a toothbrush to give it a good scrubbing.
You could also soak it in the solution for a few minutes with the removing soak. Do this multiple times until the rust fades away. When you have been satisfied with the results, rinse it. It has multi-purpose uses, but it’s an excellent rust cleaner when you have it in your home as it dissolves it. The product does not only work on hooks alone but also on the other fishing components like the rod.
Step:11 Using Naval Jelly
Navy jelly can be used to remove rust on any surface, including fishing hooks. To do this, apply a coating of the jelly on it using a toothbrush. Allow the jelly to work on the rust for up to 10 or more minutes. The amount of time you wait depends on the intensity of the rusting. Rinse with clean water. If the rust hasn’t faded completely, repeat the process a second time.
There are so many ways fishing hooks can get rusted. When you regularly fish in salty water or when it gets exposed for a more extended period in moisture or oxygen. It is advisable to be using rustproof hooks when going fishing, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get rusted at some point. Before you store it back on the tackle box, always ensure you have cleaned out the rust. Use any of these methods to tackle rust and keeping it when it is cleaned and well dried. Store it with silica packs to absorb any moisture.
